Best Bets Today - Betting Picks for May 20, 2026

By: Kyle Kargel Published 05/20/2026, 10:27 AM ET
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If you're searching for the best bets today, you've come to the right place. Using the proven Stat Salt style, we’re breaking down some of the strongest plays across MLB and WNBA based strictly on matchup data, recent form, and statistical edges.

These picks are designed to give you a clear advantage before placing your wagers. Let’s get into best bets for May 20, 2026!

Best Bet 1: Dodgers -1.5 vs Padres

Shohei Ohtani gives the Dodgers one of the strongest betting edges on the entire May 20 card. He enters this matchup with a dominant 0.82 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 44 innings, allowing only 25 hits and two home runs while striking out 50. That is elite run prevention, and it comes against a Padres offense that has been underwhelming overall, hitting just .222 with a .294 OBP and .370 slugging percentage. Randy Vasquez has pitched well for San Diego, but the Dodgers’ lineup is far more dangerous, producing 253 runs, 64 home runs and a .342 OBP. Los Angeles also owns the better team pitching profile with a 3.19 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. With Andy Pages driving in 42 runs and Max Muncy providing power, the Dodgers have more ways to create separation. Prediction: Dodgers 5, Padres 2.

Best Bet 2: Yankees -1.5 vs Blue Jays

The Yankees are worth targeting on the run line because Cam Schlittler has been excellent and New York owns a major offensive advantage. Schlittler enters 6-1 with a 1.35 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 68 strikeouts over 60 innings, giving the Yankees a reliable starter with swing-and-miss stuff and strong command. Toronto’s Trey Yesavage has also pitched well, but his workload is much smaller, and this is a difficult road assignment against a Yankees lineup that has scored 249 runs with 73 home runs. Toronto, by comparison, has scored 198 runs with 44 homers. Aaron Judge and Ben Rice give New York two premium power bats, while Rice’s .297 average, .397 OBP and .671 slugging mark make him especially dangerous. The Yankees have already taken the first two games of the series, and their combination of starting pitching, lineup depth and home-field edge makes them the stronger side. Prediction: Yankees 5, Blue Jays 3.

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Best Bet 3: Wings -2.5 vs Sky

Dallas -2.5 stands out because Chicago’s injury report is extremely damaging. Rickea Jackson is out for the season after tearing her ACL, while Azura Stevens, DiJonai Carrington and Courtney Vandersloot are also out, and Elizabeth Williams is a game-time decision. That is a major loss of scoring, playmaking, defense and frontcourt depth for a Sky team that had been relying on balance. Dallas has the cleaner offensive profile, averaging 89.3 points per game on 47% shooting with 23.3 assists. P. Bueckers leads the Wings at 20.0 points per game on 57.4% shooting, while J. Sheldon contributes across the board with 9.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Chicago can still compete on the glass behind K. Cardoso, but the Sky’s shot creation takes a big hit with so many rotation players unavailable. Dallas has already shown a high ceiling with wins of 107-104 over Indiana and 92-69 over Washington. Prediction: Wings 86, Sky 79.

Where to Find More Free Betting Picks Today

These are just a couple of the strongest plays available today, but there’s plenty more value across the board.

For full breakdowns, expert analysis, and daily betting insights across all sports, visit the Stat Salt hub:

Stay disciplined, trust the data, and keep building your edge.

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